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The Blog for Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Rentboy story keeps a walkin'

Howard Troxler laments that "it took this Rentboy matter to call attention to the real issue, namely, that the elected attorney general of Florida, now seeking to become governor, hired such a fellow and had him paid $120,000 in the first place."

When it comes to Rentboy.com vs. a Cadillac Escalade, I'm goin' with Rentboy as the lead story — and yet, who cannot admire the stink surrounding U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, the leading Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate?

As [Troxler's] colleagues at the Miami Herald report, Meek went to bat in Congress for the benefit of a Liberty City developer who (1) helped Meek's then-chief of staff buy a house, and (2) hired Meek's mother as a consultant, paying her $90,000 and paying for the aforementioned Escalade.

This developer, Dennis Stackhouse, has since been arrested on charges that he stole nearly $1 million from the failed project. He is awaiting trial. Meek has said he didn't know at the time that his mother was working for Stackhouse, and says that his now-former chief of staff's deal with the developer was "inappropriate."

"The court ruled 5 to 4[*] that denying juveniles who have not committed homicide a chance to ever rejoin society is counter to national and 'global' consensus and violates the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment."

The case involved Terrance Jamar Graham, who was convicted of robbery in Jacksonville, Fla., when he was 16. He received a short jail term and probation but was arrested again at 17 for taking part in a home invasion. The judge in the case sent him away for life.

"City and state arson investigators suspect the weekend fire that virtually destroyed the home of Gov. Charlie Crist's former spokeswoman was deliberately set." "Former Crist aide's home burned".

45 bills

"Lawmakers on Monday sent Gov. Charlie Crist 45 bills, including ones dealing with sexual predators, space, spring training and hurricane insurance. He now has until June 1 to sign or veto the bills." "Florida House sends Gov. Crist 45 bills".

Another fine Jebacy

"Orlando now leads Florida and most of the nation for underwater mortgages, according to a report released last week by CoreLogic Inc. Only Las Vegas and Phoenix surpass it. The California-based researchers determined that 55 percent, or 285,004, of the area's mortgaged homes are worth less than their outstanding mortgage." "With Orlando No. 3 in nation in underwater mortgages, homeowners ponder leaving".

"Almost a compulsion"

"The son of former Gov. Lawton Chiles said Monday he feels "almost a compulsion" to run for governor and will probably enter the Democratic race by the middle of next week."

Lawton "Bud" Chiles III said he is talking with family members and political allies about challenging Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink for the party's nomination to succeed Gov. Charlie Crist. ...

"This is almost a compulsion," said Chiles. "I feel like I've got to either leave the state or do this."

Brandon Larrabee: "Former House Speaker Marco Rubio now holds an eight-point lead over Gov. Charlie Crist in the campaign for an open U.S. Senate seat, according to a survey released by Rasmussen Reports [yesterday]." "Poll: Rubio reclaims lead in U.S. Senate race".

The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Crist got it right in vetoing the tax break for phony farmers that the Legislature passed this year."

The bill would have enabled huge landowners and developers to avoid paying their fair share of property taxes by hiding behind an exemption meant to protect working farms. The measure was an abuse that could have robbed state and local governments of tens of millions of dollars.

"Organizers say the 50,000 convention delegates, protesters and media that will descend on Tampa for the 2012 convention could pump as much as $170 million into the local economy." "Tampa expects GOP windfall".

"Lost in the recent furor over the fearsome exotic Burmese python is another invasive species that has spread quietly over the past 14 years from the man-made marshes of Broward County to Lake Okeechobee and beyond. Neither ugly nor dangerous to humans, it nevertheless poses a significant threat to South Florida's fragile wetlands ecosystem." "Non-native swamphens infiltrating Florida's ecosystem".

Barely Florida Forever

"After neglecting to fund Florida Forever for the first time in its 20-year history last year, the Legislature wised up this past session and provided $15 million for the state's land preservation program. Although that's a drop in the bucket compared to the $300 million that previously had been appropriated every year, it still will give the state and willing local partners the ability to preserve some significant lands during a time of declining property values." "Partnering to preserve Florida".

Constantine dances

"The process required some fancy footwork for state Sen. Lee Constantine, an Altamonte Springs Republican who is chairman of the nominating council that recommends applicants to the commission. Constantine resigned from the council Monday and instead said he'll apply for the PSC himself." "Three lawmakers among applicants for PSC".

"Green corridor"

"Crist is reviewing a bill passed by the Legislature last month that would help establish a 'green corridor' PACE program among several South Florida cities. The measure would allow the communities to purchase clean energy systems for residents' homes." "Crist weighs bill to help cities go green".